High School Football Notebook: A dramatic first for Milford

When the ball sailed between the goal posts in the closing seconds at Canton on Friday night, Eric Nunez’s 35-yard field goal gave Joe Todd his first win as Milford’s coach in thrilling fashion.

By Rick Rendell/Daily News staff

MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

By Rick Rendell/Daily News staff

Posted Oct. 9, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 9, 2013 at 9:13 AM

By Rick Rendell/Daily News staff

Posted Oct. 9, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 9, 2013 at 9:13 AM

» Social News

When the ball sailed between the goal posts in the closing seconds at Canton on Friday night, Eric Nunez’s 35-yard field goal gave Joe Todd his first win as Milford’s coach in thrilling fashion.

"It was unbelievable," said Todd. "You couldn’t have written it any better. It was the most exciting football game I’ve been a part of."

Todd has been a part of many games in his career, as a player and coach at Mansfield High, and player at Hofstra University and briefly for the New York Jets.

The Scarlet Hawks jumped to a 35-13 lead after three quarters before Canton tied it with 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. That set the stage for Nunez's winning kick.

Quarterback John Hearns was the holder for junior snapper Tommy Trautwein, who was filling in for Milford’s injured starting snapper.

"The whole operation went well," said Todd. "The snap, the hold, the blocking and the kick."

In building the early lead, the Scarlet Hawks got their no-huddle offense clicking, dictating the tempo and moving the ball well. Then after some defensive lapses in the fourth, the team came through in the clutch.

"The players responded and they overcame adversity," said Todd. "They fought to the very end. That last-second field goal was amazing to see."

Next up for Milford (1-3) is another Hockomock League matchup at Foxboro.

"We have to continue to improve," said Todd. "They are very good. We’ve got to play a perfect game."

TVL Large Showdown, Part 3

It’s another clash of Tri-Valley League Large titans when Medway travels to Holliston on Friday night.

Medway enters the matchup after beating Hopkinton to improve to 3-1. Meanwhile, Holliston (4-1) suffered its first loss last Friday night, a heartbreaking double-overtime battle with Westwood. The Panthers also beat Hopkinton the previous week.

"It’s never easy playing them and we’re playing at their place this year and that makes it even harder," said Medway coach Dave McSweeney. "Hopefully, we’ll be ready. There are no easy games from here on out. Then we have Westwood for back-to-back."

This matchup will feature a contrast in styles.

"They have incredible team speed," said McSweeney. "They’re fast at every position. It presents problems with matchups. We’re powerful and physically bigger, but their speed makes up for that. It will be a challenge, no doubt about that."

Medway’s lines are anchored by a pair of huge, talented linemen in Kevin Sheehan (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) and Cam Smith (6-5, 290). Smith has committed to play in the Patriot League at Lafayette College while Boston College, UMass-Amherst, UNH and several Ivy League schools have shown interest in Sheehan.

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"They have lived up to their billing," said McSweeney. "Both have had strong seasons so far. We need big games from them this week, too."

Both play defensive tackle and line up next to each other on offense too, with Sheehan at guard and Smith at tackle. Flip-flopping sides in the offensive line, they’ve paved the way for running back Anthony Parchesky.

"He’s off to a good start and having a strong year," said McSweeney. "He’s a good, tough runner."

"Holliston has had our number the last couple of years," said McSweeney. "It’s always tough to play them. Hopefully, we’ll be ready to go."

In the new state playoff system, the top two teams in the TVL Large automatically qualify. A third team from the division could also make the playoffs on power ratings.

Westwood tops the power rankings in EMass Divison 4 South with TVL Small’s North second, Medway third and Holliston in sixth.

"There are great teams in our league and it gets you well prepared for the playoffs, if we can survive and qualify," said McSweeney.

The Undefeated

The unbeaten Natick Redhawks were the unanimous choice as the top team in the Daily News poll this week. The Bay State Conference Herget leaders have held the No. 1 ranking since Week 1.

At 2-0 in the Herget, the Redhawks share the division lead with Walpole and Milton and have a big clash upcoming with the Rebels on Oct. 25, the last week of the regular season for qualifying for the playoffs.

With Holliston and Dover-Sherborn falling last weekend, the other remaining unbeaten Daily News area teams are Marlborough, Hudson, Valley Tech and Uxbridge.

In CMass, Valley Tech stays atop the Colonial Athletic League and Uxbridge holds the top spot in SWCL C.

Marlborough and Hudson are the top teams in Mid-Wach B. With three games left before the playoffs, Marlborough is 3-0 in league matchups and Hudson 2-0. The longtime neighboring rivals, however, do not play in the regular season until their annual Thanksgiving matchup, after the playoffs teams have been established.

Rick Rendell can be reached at 508-626-3987 or rrendell@wickedlocal.com.